Kukla's Korner Hockey

At the Penguins' playoff game Sunday, a fan was wearing a Jim Paek jersey.

Paek, a role player, hasn't played for the Penguins in two decades.

Another fan was decked out in a Jiri Slegr jersey, a non-star who played for the Penguins from 1997 to 2001.

"Part of the fun of going to a Penguins game is to pick out the unusual (jerseys) you see on a given night," said sports radio host Joe Starkey of 93.7 The Fan.

The NHL's Original Six franchises — Boston Bruins, Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings, Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs and New York Rangers — are usually viewed as having the most hockey tradition, but Pittsburgh is in their league in having a fan base that is in love with the game.

"On game days, you wake up, go the rink, and you see Pittsburgh Penguins jerseys all around town," Penguins rookie defenseman Olli Maatta said. "It lifts my mood a lot to know the city is behind us."